Salzburg night criticism – Vienna Philharmonic: expected extra class


The Vienna Philharmonic, under the baton of Franz Welser-Möst, invited to their own festival start. In a three-part concert program, the middle of which was marked by the “Six Monologues from Everyone” sung by baritone Matthias Goerne, the focus was on Richard Strauss.

The beginning of the almost two-hour evening was formed by a suite from Strauss’s most famous opera “Der Rosenkavalier”. The orchestra and conductor welcomed the audience with enthusiasm and performed a waltz with “Molto con moto”.

Star baritone convinced
The globally sought-after baritone Matthias Goerne performed the vocal parts of the orchestrated version of Frank Martin’s “Six Monologues from Everyone”. As a “rich man” he regretted his sins and pleaded with God for forgiveness. The sad, depressing part of this three-part concert. Goerne really blossomed in his role, sometimes clinging desperately to his desk, as if it were supposed to give him a hold, and proved why he can be heard regularly on the most internationally renowned stages. In a nutshell: One hundred percent of the role was bought from the German singer.

Alpine symphony – more than just a mountain tour
The conclusion, but also the longest part of the performance, was “Eine Alpensinfonie op. 64”, also by Strauss. Many see this program music, completed in 1915, as onomatopoeia of a mountain hike. As a teenager, Strauss himself was probably inspired by his own hike to this work. This is exactly what you heard: the hymn-like “sunrise” displaced the darkness of the “night”, “on the alpine pasture” you could hear the bells of the cows. The highlight of the whole concert was probably the fantastic “sunset”, which destroyed the threat of “thunderstorms and storms” during the descent from the mountain. The concert ended, as it had continued after the break, with the “night” and left you a little thoughtful. Darkness as a counterplay to light, calm but still oppressive. The audience was enthusiastic and accordingly gave a big standing ovation.

Conclusion: an all-round successful concert. No fraudulent labeling, it was exactly what was written above – a first-class concert. The Vienna Philharmonic, Franz Welser-Möst and Matthias Goerne: a trio that you can’t get enough of.